Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a significant expansion of California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program. This initiative, which more than doubles the program’s annual funding from $330 million to $750 million, aims to solidify California’s status as a hub for film and television production.
The expanded program includes the addition of 16 new television projects, projected to generate $1.1 billion in spending and nearly 6,700 jobs across the state. “California is where filmed entertainment was born, and with this expansion, we’re making sure it stays here,” stated Governor Newsom.
Since its inception in 2009, the tax credit program has generated over $27 billion in economic activity and supported more than 209,000 jobs. The program offers substantial returns for every dollar awarded: $24.40 in economic output, $16.14 in GDP, and $8.60 in wages.
The expansion maintains California’s competitive edge by prioritizing workforce diversity provisions and increasing funding for training programs. Dee Dee Myers, Senior Advisor to the Governor & Director of GO-Biz, remarked on the importance of supporting a dynamic industry that reflects California’s identity.
The investment is expected to increase film job support by about fifty percent and address oversubscription issues that previously led projects to move out-of-state due to limited credits.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, emphasized that this program strengthens California’s position as a leader in content creation while supporting job growth and small businesses dependent on production activities.
Among the new projects are nine returning TV series like HBO Max’s “The Pitt,” Hulu’s “Paradise,” CBS’s “NCIS: Origins,” two pilots, four new shows, and one relocating show—Prime Video’s “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” Dan Fogelman from “Paradise” expressed gratitude for continuing their work in Los Angeles thanks to these tax credits.
With last week’s state budget bill securing this expansion, further legislation is anticipated soon to modernize the program further. Starting July 1st with Program 4.0, tax credits have become refundable for all projects since 2009—a change integrated into upcoming application cycles managed by the California Film Commission.
